Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1887-08-06
Some Pertinent Questions for the AS
sistant Editor Of the New Era"
to Answer.

EDITOR STANDARD.-It has been
said that "a fool could ask more
questions in one minute than a wise
man could answer in one hour" This
communication may prove the truth
of the saying.
We see that Mr.. Frank Spurlock is
writing for the New Era against Pro-
hibition. We respect Mr.. Spurlock
as much as any man, and will ask
him a few questions which we hope
he will answer candidly.
LIST. If prohibition takes effect, who
will be injured and how?
I'd. If it takes effect does he not
believe that the tax payers of the
State will receive or be benefited more
in dollars and cents in the next five
years than the amount invested in
the manufactured of liquor in the State.
Sd. Does he not believe that there
will be twenty-five votes fraudulently
cast against prohibition to one fraud
ulently cast for it?
We do not mean that Mr.. Spurlock
wauld do any wrong Intentionally
to cause anybody to vote against their
own reason or conscience, but we do
know that the writings and speeches
Of some do not altogether appeal to a
mans reason or judgment.
We also admit that many of the
advocates of prohibition, in their
zeal, say things that will never con
vince any man, but on the contrary
will prejudice many. All must adj
NIT that it is a question with two
sides, also that there are good men,
with honest convictions, on. both
sides. Then why is it necessary to
fall out with our friends and say
things to wound the feelings of any?
Since the Era, under its able new
editor, Mr.. Spurlock, proposes to
champion the cause of the ants, and
the STANDARD is doing what it
knows to be right for prohibition, l
think it would be well for everybody
to secure both papers for the next two
months and study the question for
themselves, that's where the duty
lies, be your own thinker.
We see in the last issue of the Era
that Mr.. .Spurlock Il suppose) under
takes to prove that suppression of the
sale of pistols is not similar to prohib-
iting the sale of liquors.
He says that a man who carries q
pistol is not doing himself a wrong
but is infringing upon the rights Of
others, inasmuch as he is liable tC
take the life of his fellow man
But a man that gets drunk simply
does himself wrong without interior.
ing with the rights or privileges O
others.
Mr.. Spurlock once told me tina
the human mind could be trained
so we could study one side of any
question-to the exclusion of the 9th
Grand be convinced that it wa.
right" The idea expressed jus
above certainly proves what he tol(
me. OF course the sale of pistols anC
liquor is the same. Any man cal
make one or both. No man cal
sell either. A manwho carries a pts
tol does not interfere or infringe upol
the rights of others any more, not 81
much, as the man who gets drunk
Mr.. Spurlock, who commits the mos
crime or violates the law most, tn
man who carries the pistol or tn.
man who drinks too much liquor
What | have written l hope ma,
offend no one. Now friend Frank,
hope you will answer me according
to your best judgement and reasol
and if you convince me l will com
to you and vote the anti ticket
and | request you to let your commit
nications for the Era" be writer
in the right spirit I; also, that for tn
love you have for your good mothe
and dear sisters and brother, for tn
friendship you have for me, for tn
interest you may feel in mankin,
generally, 1 dc sincerely hope yor
will not threaten us with the MOhdni
medan religion, in the event liquor i
voted out. Respectfully,
GEO. S. STROUD.
Rulpc Gnunrninu tho ATvordipO =